Ireland are a better, more skilful and more mature side than the one that Eddie O'Sullivan led into the 2005 Six Nations under the favourite's banner, but that guarantees nothing, according to the Ireland coach.
On the day O'Sullivan named his team to take on Wales in the Millennium Stadium this Sunday, he admitted that it would be "fair comment" to suggest that the 2007 version is better than the team that lost to Wales in Cardiff two years ago and surrendered the championship to their hosts in the process.
Wales won the Grand Slam that year, having been rank outsiders at the start of the tournament. Ireland, in contrast, were favourites but may be better equipped this time around.
"It is what it is," said O'Sullivan of the favourite's tag. "It's a nice little accolade but there is no doubt it can bite you in the arse...if you pay attention to it."
"I do think it's a better Irish team on a number of fronts, if they're all healthy," O'Sullivan said today. "I think we have a deeper squad, I think we have a lot more maturity in key positions and I think we have a lot more leadership on the field. I think we have a lot better sense of what we are trying to do as a team.
"And, I think we are a more skilful side too, two years down the track. I hope I'm proved right in all of this on Sunday, but I think that is all fair comment," added O'Sullivan in reference to being favourite.
O'Sullivan's admission is further evidence of Ireland's coming of age. The coaches and players are no longer eager to shake the favourite's tag but have no desire to dwell on it for any length of time either.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll, while not exactly echoing his coach's comments, was also comfortable fielding questions on external expectations.
The Leinster centre issued a dismissive "no" when asked if the favourite's tag could lead to complacency, and then, thankfully, elaborated.
"I don't think it was complacency [in 2005], it was other issues that denied us beating France in the fourth game of the Six Nations when Wales went and won the Slam.
"I think there is too much experience to have any element of complacency. There are so many senior players in this team that if they see anyone stepping out of line they'll pull them back in. I don't think there will be a problem with that element at all."
O'Driscoll didn't go as far as to say that this year's team is better than those of the recent past but he would "like to think it is the most prepared".
"Of course you are always going to have one or two injuries . . . I don't know any campaign where we have gone in with a clean bill of health.
"I'd like to think we are as well prepared, if not better, than any side I've played in in the previous campaigns."
No pressure then lads.
